A few of our group of workers (myself integrated), had been reigniting our love for the 26″ Mountain Motorcycle. With maximum riders now choosing a 29er or Gravel motorbike for off street driving or commuting, it’s a rarer sight to look a 26″ at the moment… We made up our minds to mud the cobwebs off ours and provides them a bit fashionable aptitude and a smartly deserved love (and a miles wanted provider after all)!
Let’s get started by way of looking at some ‘bikespiration’, right here’s a few of Merlin Cycles’ group of workers owned 26″ commuters.
Pictured Above: Rob’s 90s GT with Moto Bars, Material Saddle, Billy Bonkers 26″ Tyres, Carbon Forks, 1x Chainring. Rob created this ‘Frankenbike’ after being given the body by way of Mike in our returns division. He now makes use of it as a commuter and weekend motorbike, taking part in rides alongside the Guild Wheel in Preston! “It’s a pleasure to experience and I’ve in point of fact had a blast placing this motorbike in combination.”
Pictured Above: My Merlin Malt 2, that includes Cannondale Carbon Bars, Raceface Stem, 1x Chainring and Billy Bonkers 26″ Tyres. This motorbike used to be given to me by way of my dad and I made up our minds to make it right into a commuter/cruiser for my leisurely ‘restoration’ rides and journeys to the espresso store. It’s a in point of fact at ease experience and the huge bars I added simply really feel refreshing in comparison to my drop bars at the gravel motorbike I generally gravitate to.
Pictured Above: Joe’s US Made (very uncommon) Rock Lobster 26″, that includes Chris King Headset, Kenda Tyres (absolute best for gravelling), 1x Chainring, Thomson Syncros bars and Thomson Elite Stem, XT Groupset. Joe purchased this motorbike to make use of for gravel adventures and reminiscent of the vintage roots of Merlin Cycles and the Rock Lobster vary from the 90s! Because of too many motorcycles in his assortment (if that’s in point of fact imaginable) he’s having a look to promote it someday quickly… Drop us a message if you wish to make him an be offering (don’t wait too lengthy, a Lobster on this surprising situation is snapped up briefly)!
On this information, we’ll discover how to reach a an identical transformation, from including unique options like “Billy Bonkers” tyres and huge fashionable handlebars to optimizing your motorbike for city adventures. Get in a position to show heads as you cruise throughout the streets in taste! In fact you’ll upload as little or many upgrades in your motorbike as you prefer…
1. Improve Your Tires: “Billy Bonkers” All of the Means:
Get started your transformation by way of swapping out your conventional mountain motorbike tires for the original Billy Bonkers tyres. Those rapid rolling, dust bounce motorbike tyres no longer handiest upload a playful unfashionable vibe but in addition supply very good traction and steadiness, making them absolute best for city driving. To be had in each black and tan wall!
2. Huge Handlebars and Grips for Convenience:
Change your slender mountain motorbike handlebars with wider ones to create a extra at ease and upright driving place. Pair them with ergonomic grips that supply a at ease and safe cling all through your rides.
My Merlin Malt 2 has Cannondale HollowGram SAVE Carbon Riser Handlebars which I believe in point of fact replace the glance of the motorbike and simply upload to that huge bar cruiser motorbike really feel. The grips additionally wanted a refresh as that they had observed a ways higher days, so I opted for a couple of Token Lock on Grips in gold.
Rob’s red bars have been taken from an outdated Bike within the storage! So that you don’t at all times need to spend additional to get that distinctive flare of a one in all a type cruiser motorbike! It could be value asking round or seeing what outdated motorcycles members of the family or buddies have tucked away of their lawn shed…
3. Include the Simplicity of a 1x Chainring:
Change to a 1x chainring setup with a chainring of your selection to fit your desired driving taste and your elevation acquire. This transformation simplifies your motorbike’s drivetrain, lowering repairs and making a cleaner aesthetic. You’ll recognize the convenience of transferring and the improved chain retention.
In finding our complete vary of MTB chainrings right here.
4. Puncture-Resistant Interior Tubes for Peace of Thoughts:
To your city adventures, set up puncture-resistant inside tubes to cut back the chance of residences. Those tubes are designed to resist city or gravel particles and be offering added peace of thoughts all through your commutes. With weight no longer being a concern on a cruiser motorbike you needn’t fear about a couple of additional grams for the added coverage.
5. Refresh Your Cockpit: New Stem and Most sensible Cap:
Give your motorbike a contemporary contact by way of changing the stem with a brand new one that enhances and suits your wider or up to date handlebars. Make a choice a stem duration that fits your driving taste and complements your convenience. Whole the improve with a contemporary best cap for a sophisticated glance. The stem featured here’s the Race Face Aeffect 35.
I added a gold best cap to my Malt 2 simply to compare the remainder of the gold improve color scheme. It’s an affordable addition that simply finishes off the graceful glance…
6. Go for a At ease Saddle:
In case your current saddle isn’t as at ease as you’d like or has observed higher days… Imagine upgrading to a brand new, extra cushioned possibility. A at ease saddle is a very powerful for relaxing rides, whether or not you’re heading to the pub or cruising to paintings.
My saddle used to be masses at ease sufficient however Rob handiest beginning along with his GT body made up our minds to head with a Material saddle and he’s very happy with the strengthen it gives at the day by day travel “It’s mega at ease!”. At an inexpensive worth and extraordinary convenience you’ll’t pass flawed with a Material Scoop Game Saddle.
To discover our complete vary of MTB Saddles click on right here.
Your Trendy Unfashionable Pub and Commuter Significant other…
With every improve, your 26″ mountain motorbike transforms right into a one-of-a-kind unfashionable pub and commuter motorbike that captures consideration anyplace you pass. You’ll choose to customize your motorbike as little or a lot as you’d like. Merely including Billy Bonkers tyres in your outdated MTB is a recreation changer which might prevent purchasing a hybrid motorbike.
Will you include the fusion of unfashionable aptitude and fashionable practicality? If this is the case, get in a position to make cruise in true taste while giving your outdated 26er the like it merits…
